Safety switch



Sept. 10, 1935. E v, NAP1E 2,014,050

SAFETY SWITCH Filed Aug. 25, 1934 EE/Vapier Patented Sept. 10, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to a safety switch, and it is primarily an object of the invention to provide a device of this kind which is especially designed for use in connection with motor driven vehicles and is to be used to cut off the ignition in the event the vehicle should overturn.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this kind wherein under normal conditions the circuit to the distributor has direct flow together with means positioned in advance of the distributor for grounding such circuit in the event the vehicle should overturn.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of this kind which includes a pendulum of conductive material mounted upon a pivot member through which normally flows current from the high tension coil to the distributor, together with grounded contact members positioned at opposite sides of the pivotal mounting go for the pendulum and with which said pendulum contacts upon overturning of the vehicle to effect a grounding of the ignition circuit and thus substantially eliminate fire hazard.

The invention consists in the details of con- 25 struction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved safety switch whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and 30 advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better 35 understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein:-

Figure 1 is a view partly in vertical section and partly in elevation illustrating a switch construct- 40 ed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention and in applied position upon an engine block;

Figure 2 is a sectional View taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

45 Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing the parts in a turned over position;

Figure 4 is a view in top plan of the device as herein disclosed, the engine block being omitted.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawing, B

50 denotes an engine block or other part of a motor driven vehicle upon which is mounted an upstanding bracket I, said bracket being of a material conductive of electricity and in direct contact with the block B. The bracket I is held 55 in any desired manner to the block 13 and said bracket is of a forked type having spaced arms 2.

The switch proper comprises a housing H consisting of two overlying plates 3 and 4 of material non-conductive of electricity, the inner face of the plate 3 being dished wherein is provided 5 an enclosed chamber 5.

The members or plates 3 and 4 are held in assembled relation by the spaced members 6, said members as herein disclosed having heads "e contacting with the outer face of the applied 10 plate 4 while the opposite end portions of said members 8 extend beyond the outer rear face of the plate 3 and have threaded thereon the holding nuts 8. The members 6 are of a length to extend beyond the applied nuts E3 and one of 15 said members i is directed through a free end portion of an arm 2 of the bracket I while the extended portion of the second member 6 is received within an open slot 9 in the outer end portion of the second arm 2 of the bracket l. These extended portions 6 have engaged therewith the additional holding nuts lil coacting with the free end portions of the arms 2 whereby the housing H is effectively supported in desired position and with the members 6 in electrical connection with the bracket I.

As is clearly illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 of the drawing, these members 6 intersect the chamber 5 and provide fixed contacts with which is adapted to engage the pendulum or swinging contact ll. As herein disclosed this contact H is of a triangular formation with its apex portion mounted upon a pivot member l2 disposed through the plates 3 and 4 of the housing H and of course intersecting the chamber 5 The formation of the pendulum or swinging contact II is such that normally it maintains by gravity a substantially vertical position and, therefore, upon the vehicle turning over in either direction the contact I I will have engagement with one of the fixed contacts or members 6 thus grounding the ignition circuit as will hereinafter be more clearly apparent.

The pivot member l2 as herein disclosed comprises an elongated bolt which is also directed through the closed end or head M of the socket members l5. These members l5 are produced from material non-conductive of electricity and the head l6 carried by one end of the pivot member [2 contacts with the inner face of the head M of one of the socket members l5 while contacting with the inner face of the head M of the second socket member [5 is a holding nut I1 threaded upon an end portion of the pivot member l2. It is, therefore, believed to be apparent that the pivot member l2 not only provides a mounting for the pendulum or swinging contact II but also maintains the socket members IS in desired working position upon the housing H.

The socket members l5 are adapted to have engaged therein the terminals I8 of the cables or conductors l9 and I 9'. The pivot member I2 is conductive of electricity and the terminals l8 have contact therewith so that under normal conditions with the pendulum or swinging contact II in substantially vertical position flow of the ignition circuit will be through the cable or conductor l9 which leads from the high tension coil through the pivot member I2 and to the distributor through the second cable or conductor l9. In the event, however, the vehicle should.

overturn the circuit from the high tension coil will be grounded through the member or fixed contact 6 with which the pendulum or swinging contact engages and through the bracket l to the engine block B.

In view of the foregoing it is believed to be apparent that the present invention provides a switch which is simple in construction yet operating in an automatic manner to effect cutting out of the motor upon overturning of the vehicle and thus eliminate fire hazard.

It is also believed to be obvious that when the overturned vehicle is returned the pendulum or swinging contact I I will automatically assume its ineffective position. It is also believed to be apparent that the improved switch as herein disclosed is one which comprises but few parts in its construction and after being applied will require but little if any attention.

From the foregoing it is also believed to be apparent that the construction of the switch herein disclosed is such whereby its operation will not be effected by binding rust or dirt and that the device does not interfere with the normal operation of the motor.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a safety switch constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:-

An automatic grounding switch comprising a housing, the walls of which being of a material non-conductive of electricity and comprising two overlying members, one of said members being dished whereby is provided an enclosed chamber, members conductive of electricity disposed through the members of the housing and intersecting the chamber thereof to hold the members of the housing in assembled relation, portions of the second named members intersecting the chamber constituting contacts, said seconi; named members extending beyond one side 0 the housing, a supporting bracket conductive oi electricity, the extended portions of the secon named members constituting means for electrically connecting said second named members to the bracket, said bracket constituting a grounding contact, substantially aligned socket members at opposite sides of the housing and having their inner ends closed, said socket members being of a material non-conductive of electricity, headed member conductive of electricity inserted through the closed ends of the socket members and through the walls of the housing and intersecting the chamber, the head of said headed member contacting from within with the closed end of one of the socket members to hold the same against the housing, a fastening member engaged with the opposite end portion of the headed member and contacting from within with the closed end of the second socket member to hold the same in position upon the housing, the portion of the headed member intersecting the chamber of the housing constituting a pivot, a pendulum of a material conductive of electricity swingingly mounted upon said pivot portion, said pendulum constituting a contact positioned between the portions of the second named members intersecting the chamber, the socket members being adapted to receive terminals of electrical connectors for electrical contact with the opposite end portions of the headed member EUGENE V. NAPIER. 

